Wednesday, November 7, 2012

spinach stuffed pasta shells + 2012 election

i can't believe the election is already over. what a cycle this year! i have seen plenty of posts about people's opinions, and while i think it's great to hear a range of beliefs, i am not interested in the hatred and extremism that some choose to post. 
so instead, i'll post this little blurb below and then a recipe. enjoy!

all that i can think after studying political science, working 
in political offices in washington dc, salt lake city, 
and london, & having a lifelong love of politics is this:
what unites our country is so much bigger and more important than anything that divides us. i hope we can all realize that and focus on that. when it comes down to it, cynics didn't build this country..optimists did. i believe in our country and what is possible for it.

anyway, there you have it. on to some good food: we made this healthy recipe this week and it was delicious! it might not seem healthy, but the substitutions and amounts make it delicious and nutritious!

spinach stuffed pasta shells
Ingredients
 -12 jumbo pasta shells
- 1 package (16 ounces) frozen, chopped spinach (thawed & drained)
- 1 cup low fat cottage cheese
-1/2 cup mozzerella cheese, grated
-1 (8 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
-salt and pepper
-1 cup prepared pasta sauce
-1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese  

Directions
1. preheat oven to 375.
2. cook the shells according to package directions, and drain them well.
3. in a large mixing bowl, combine spinach, cottage cheese, mozzarella, and tomatoes. season to taste with salt & pepper.
4. spread 1/4 cup of the sauce on the bottom of an 8" by 11" baking pan.
5. stuff each shell with about 1/4 cup of the spinach mixture.
6. pour the remaining pasta sauce over the shells.
7. cover with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the shells are heated through.
enjoy!
xo

34 comments:

  1. MMM yummy, looks so delicious and healthy!
    Thank you for the wonderful recipe!

    http://myfashionfoodstyle.blogspot.co.il/

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  2. Thanks so much for saying that! My husband and I were talking late last night about how silly it is for people to get so crazy and cynical about it all. Neither one of the men running for President are EVIL or want to CORRUPT our country. I'm sure they are both great men, they both have great qualities, it's just a matter of which is a better fit for out country. We are so blessed to live in the US that it's a shame for people to say they want to get up and leave over all of this.

    PS Your recipe looks fantastic!

    Kel
    storiesofkel.blogspot.com

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  3. I loved your little blurb. Thank you so much for saying it, because it is SO true.

    But I think I loved your recipe more, making stuffed pasta shells is one of my favorites.

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  4. Seriously I'm glad the election is freakin over.
    On another note, this pasta looks so amazing. yummmmmm
    It's on my list of "To Do's"

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  5. Amen. Love this, and love you. Missing our days of politics on the hill together. Miss you.

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  6. I love stuffed shells! These sound phenomenal!

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  7. Omgosh, spinach stuffed shells are my fav! And I loved what you said about optimism & being united. So important in many aspects of life, not just politics! And as someone said we still have our Prophet & that is truly a blessing.

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    1. And, frankly, the Lord is in charge & everything is His anyway, so we might as well just have faith & trust in Him. He has a plan for everything that happens in life! Right?

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    2. Thought you would appreciate this statement made by the 1st Presidency:

      SALT LAKE CITY —
      The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Tuesday:

      We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.

      After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

      We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process, which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors.

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    3. Thanks, Kaylynn.

      Emi, I also wanted to say that I appreciate what you wrote about extremism. I've heard so much of that! From Obama being a Communist to Romney not being in touch with poverty. Not to mention what you said about hate, which certainly is not conducive to our LDS beliefs. I don't know what the truth is about either man, however, I do know what I felt & how others felt the night of the election. Many of us couldn't sleep for the horrible sinking feeling that came over us! So I really appreciated your comments about optimism (over cynicism) b/c that truly is the spirit of America. However, I also wanted to know what you thought b/c I figured you probably had some sound, intelligent reasons for your choice. And even tho I do believe Romney to be the better choice, in my opinion, you are right that we now need to be careful to unite as a Nation.

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  8. Great food and great advice. I think politics is something that can be so dividing at times and in a world where people often place an emphasis on our differences, politics sometimes feels like another way to point out those differences and further separate us as a society. I'm very happy Obama got elected, but it's amazing how that decision can be so off putting to others and vice versa for those who voted for Mitt. That's your personal right. I think there's too much hate in the world sometimes. The focus should be on how we're alike and not how we're different. One promotes unity, the other doesn't.

    The Indie Byline

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  9. The food looks tasty, I can't wait to try and make it :)

    http://boundtoquilt.blogspot.ca/

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  10. That pasta looks INCREDIBLE. Definitely going to do this someday soon!

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  11. DUDE! I just made these a few weeks ago! SOOO good! One thing, I sauteed the spinach with a little garlic - I feel like it made the delicious concoction inside a little less mushy.
    YUM!
    Kaylynn
    colbkayandtrae.blogspot.com

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  12. That recipe looks amazing! I'll have to try it.

    PS: Were you a poli sci major? I graduated in it back in...oh gosh, 2008.

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  13. Yum! My mom has a similar recipe but stuffs the shells with chicken salade and then tops them with chopped roasted nuts!

    Carrie
    Follow me: lego-house.blogspot.com

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  14. YUM!! this recipe looks delicious. im going to have to try it. and i totally agree with what you said about ehe election! happy thursday! XOX

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  15. dying to try this recipe. YUM! Adorable blog.

    xoxo
    Liesl

    woodsy-soiree.blogspot.com

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  16. OK THIS LOOKS DELISH!!! I want to try this recipe..I'll have to let you know how it goes

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  17. Yummy yummy! Looks delicious girl!!

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  18. wow... these look absolutely delicious! p.s. did I tell you I put your button on my blog!? I keep forgetting! SORRY! xo

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    Replies
    1. ahh you are the best! your blog is famous so that is so nice! we have to add buttons instead of just links so we will get on that and have yours be first! XO

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  19. That looks super yummy! :) Your blog is absolutely fabulous-just became a member/follower of your blog. I hope you'll follow me back and we can keep in touch. Happy Blogging!!! 



    ♥ Elle
    www.thehighfeather.com 
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  20. Glad elections are over for the sake of not having to hear on those nasty Ads. This is a great quote!

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  21. This looks amazing! I have yet to find those type of shells in the gluten free version unfortunately :( Maybe one day!

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  22. agree with you so much.How neat that you studied in London (me too!) + that does look amazing.

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  23. great blog :)
    you have new follower, hope you visit me back and follow..kisses

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  24. That looks amazingly delicious!! :)

    If you have time, please come by and check out my blog! And maybe follow?

    xo - Sheila
    www.sheislovelyblog.com

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  26. Great post! That looks yummy!!!

    Check out my blog and maybe we can follow each other?

    xo,
    Deanne
    http://myfashavenue.blogspot.ca

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  27. That pasta looks way good. I'm bummed about the outcome of the elections, but all we can do is stay positive, work hard, be self reliant, plan for rainy days, have faith in God and raise our kids right.

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